Craven Week: Griffons upset FS
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The Griffons upset provincial rivals Free State with a convincing 41-27 victory in a Craven Week try-feast at Stellenbosch.
There were a total of 10 tries scored in the thrilling Free State derby with the Griffons scoring six of them as they took advantage of their opportunities as opposed to the Free State outfit.
It was an upbeat start to the all-Free State affair as both teams looked to start the game on the right note.
It was Free State though who camped in Griffons territory in the first five minutes and were eventually rewarded when looseforward Jabo Mtshatsheni muscled his way over the line for the opening try. It was duly converted by flyhalf Christiaan Schutte to take the lead to 7-0.
Free State continued to dominate territory, and weak set-pieces from the Griffons did not help their cause. However fifteen minutes in a fantastic Griffons team-try was catalysed by a line break from outside centre Siya Ngxesha before he found nippy left wing Richman Gorrah who stepped past two cover defenders and passed brilliantly to flank Gift Dlamini in support who dived over for the score. Griffons flyhalf Luan James added the extras to level the scores.
That Griffons try prompted more spark the men from Welkom as they began enjoying some phases and Gorrah was put in space again out wide – proving to be a handful he managed to hold off two defenders and popped a ball inside to Ngxesha who collected and scored the Griffons second try in the space of five minutes. James once again converted the kick.
It didn't take long for Free State to answer the Griffons two tries as they were quickly back in their opponents territory, and after a solid build-up the ball was sent wide to Free State No.8 Dian Schoonees who used a strong fend-off to power his way over for the Cheetahs second. The conversion attempt was missed and Free State trailed by one point.
Approaching the half hour mark the Griffons stretched the lead through Gorrah after he ran a brilliant line taking a short ball from flyhalf James.
Free State made a late push on the stroke of half-time and were rewarded with a penalty which Schutte converted to narrow the score to 15-19 in favour of the Griffons.
Both teams looked composed at the start of the second-half but it wasn't long until the Griffons piled on the pressure with a solo effort try from flank Christiaan Steyn – the looseforward shrugged off three defenders and ran 50 metres to score. James added the extra two points with the conversion.
Griffons were playing attractive rugby with the willingness to run from anywhere while both the forwards and backs were getting involved, and on 47 minutes James extended the lead to 14 points with a penalty.
Free State were looking to claw their way back into the game but the Griffons crushed their momentum as scrumhalf Jason Olivier pounced on a loose ball and Gorrah was released down the touchline. The wing showed some pace and toed the ball ahead twice before fullback Marco Labuschagne dived on the ball in the in-goal area to score the try.
The men in orange were not done yet and No.8 Schoonies bulldozed through some Griffons defenders before he gave a back-door offload to Siyabonga Luwaca who finished it off. After the successful conversion the score was 34-21 to the Griffons.
With 10 minutes left to play Free State's tails were up and were pushing hard at the Griffons but could not take advantage of their territorial domination. Any hopes of a Free State comeback were crushed when Ngxesha intercepted a pass and sprinted 70 metres for a try which James converted as they took a commanding 41-22 lead.
Free State managed a consolation score as Mtshatsheni forced his way over for his second try of the game. It had no impact on the result as the Griffons came out on top at full-time.
Man of the match: Richman Gorrah
Scorers:
For Free State:
Tries: Mtshatsheni 2, Schoonies, Luwaca
Cons: Schutte 2
Pen: Schutte
For Griffons:
Tries: Dlamini, Ngxesha 2, Gorrah, Labuschagne, Steyn
Cons: James 4
Pen: James
Teams:
Free State: 15 Kyle Kermis, 14 Tyrell Heyns, 13 Francois Agenbag, 12 Philippus Serfontein, 11 Luciano Jones, 10 Christiaan Schutte, 9 Niel Durow, 8 Dian Schoonees, 7 Siyabonga Luwaca, 6 Jabo Mtshatsheni, 5 Kagiso Marumo, 4 George Rossouw (captain), 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Daniel William Rust, 1 Johannes Brits.
Replacements: 16 Gideon Beukes, 17 Kanya Gela, 18 Kian Skippers, 19 Jurie Burger, 20 Hardus Nel, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Godfrey Simelane.
Griffons: 15 Marco Labuschagne, 14 Tristan Rothman, 13 Siya Ngxesha, 12 Denavan Bouwer, 11 Richman Gorrah, 10 Luan James, 9 Jason Olivier (captain), 8 Stephanus Malherbe, 7 Christiaan Steyn, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Jacques Henning, 4 Michiel Bosman, 3 Neo Mohapi, 2 Reinard van der Vyver, 1 Fanie Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Duke Jantjies, 17 Corne Cooper, 18 Lincoln Jordaan, 19 Ettiene O'Donovan, 20 Jerome Lottering, 21 Ronaldo Fortuin, 22 Daniel Hendricks.
Referee: Archie Sehlako
Assistant referees: Fernando Uithaler, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Vusimuzi Msibi
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